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Belt out of lineup against left-hander Minor

4/23/14: Brandon Belt hits a two-run homer to deep right field to put the Giants up, 7-6

By Chris Haft
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MLB.com |

ATLANTA -- The Giants have given fresh meaning to the term "balance of power."

Three different players entered May with at least six home runs: Brandon Belt (seven), Michael Morse and Buster Posey (six apiece). The Giants' pre-May slugging hasn't been that well-distributed since 1962, when they were led by Willie Mays (seven), Orlando Cepeda and Ed Bailey (six each).

Nevertheless, with left-hander Mike Minor starting for Atlanta, the left-handed-hitting Belt was out of Friday's lineup. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that he explained the situation to Belt, who'll likely return to first base Saturday against Braves right-hander Julio Teheran.

Wanting right-handed bats against Minor, Bochy started Posey at first base and switch-hitting Hector Sanchez at catcher. Bochy noted that this would keep Posey's bat in the lineup while sparing him from the physical rigors of catching. Posey might benefit from this quasi-rest, since Bochy plans on starting him behind the plate Saturday and Sunday.

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Haft-Baked Ideas, and follow him on Twitter at @sfgiantsbeat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.